Aloha Sister!

During the time when I was on the advisory board of the women’s ministry at the local church I attend, our amazing director held a women’s breakfast with a Hawaiian theme. She was famous for calling people out of their comfort zones and at the time, my comfort zone was back of the room, corner seat. Ok, who am I kidding, my comfort zone is STILL back of the room, corner seat! Anyway, she asked me to take a few minutes and speak about something at the breakfast, a type of introduction before giving the announcements and taking the offering. Since the theme was Hawaiian, it didn’t take long for me to think to look up the word, “aloha”, and I am so glad I did! I found 4 meanings to this wonderful, beautiful, powerful word that really sparked something in me and the ladies at the breakfast. The focus was no longer on the fun theme with bright colored flowers strewn all over the room and pretty leis around our necks. No, we were able to zero in on each other, our sisterhood, and the power we had to effect each other just by speaking one word of life to each other. I pray this blesses you as much as it did us!

”Aloha" is more than a word of greeting or farewell or a salutation. Aloha means mutual regard and affection and extends warmth and caring with no obligation in return.

”Aloha" is more than a word of greeting or farewell or a salutation. Aloha means mutual regard and affection and extends warmth and caring with no obligation in return. That means when I say “aloha” to you, it’s like I’m singing that Stevie Wonder song to you: “I just called, to say, I love you. I just called, to say how much I care. I just called, to say, I love you. And I mean it from the bottom of my heart.” When you ask me why? My response is simply, “just because it’s Wednesday sis, just because it’s Wednesday.”

In other words, we don’t need a reason to give love to one another, because love isn’t earned, it’s simply given.

”Aloha" is also the essence of relationships in which each person is important to every other person for collective existence.

”Aloha" is also the essence of relationships in which each person is important to every other person for collective existence. That means when I say “aloha” to you, I am saying that I cannot do life alone; that I need you. I am saying that community is vital for my individual growth, your individual growth, and the growth of the church as the united Body of Christ. So, I don’t love you because I’m obliged to love you. I love you because that is what love does. There is no hook, no expectation, no obligation, yet, there is a beautiful benefit to loving this way, and it’s called growth. We all get better just by giving away what has been freely given to us!

”Aloha" means to hear what is not said, to see what cannot be seen and to know the unknowable.

”Aloha" means to hear what is not said, to see what cannot be seen and to know the unknowable. That means when I say “aloha” to you, I am looking beyond your verbal answer and listening with my spirit ears to make sure that what you say you are feeling is really what you are feeling. I’m giving my sister a spiritual x-ray to make sure I hear what she is not saying and respond to that. A true “aloha” doesn’t accept surface answers and the fake “I’m fine” response that many of us are so fond of giving

The literal meaning of “aloha” is “the presence of breath” or “the breath of life.”

The literal meaning of “aloha” is “the presence of breath” or “the breath of life.” It comes from “Alo,” meaning presence, front and face, and “ha,” meaning breath. When I say “aloha” I am declaring that I am His! Led by Him, ruled by Him, guided by Him! He is why I can love without a hook. He is why I need love in order to thrive as an individual and as part of the Body. He is why I can see you, my sister. See beyond the surface, into your heart, and know what you are feeling. He is in me, the aloha ke Akua, the love of God is in me, in us!

So the next time you come across a sister in Christ and say “hello” to her out loud, I want you to REALLY be saying “aloha” to her in your heart. Approach her with the confidence that aloha ke akua is in you. Let her know that you care, that you want nothing from her, but that you appreciate the care she gives in return because it benefits you both which benefits the Body. Take your time with her and really listen to her words, and beyond her words, into her heart to what’s really going on inside so that you can respond in kind; so that you can pray for her real needs. Imagine if we all approached each other in this way, with this measure of care and confidence! Imagine the strength of our Prides and each individual Lioness represented! Imagine the strength of our collective roars! Imagine the speed of the enemy’s retreat!

I say, let’s stop imagining and let’s make this a reality! Aloha Sis!